Electrode holder



May 19, 1942. P. BOURQUE ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. 17, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

19/444 Jar/cam May 19, 1942.

P. BOURQUE ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed 001,. 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7IINVENTORM /9/.//P fiaz/Evn/e;

ATTORNEY Patented -May 19, 1942 ELECTRODE HOLDER Philip Bourque,Detroit, Mich., assignor to Bordon Mfg. 00., Inc., Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Michigan Application October 17, 1940, Serial No. 361,567

19 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an electrodeholder for holding electrode wire during an arc welding operation. Inthese electrode holders, the wire is generally gripped between a pair ofclamping jaws. Thecommon type of structure embodies a pair of resilientjaws which are positioned in superimposed relation and spread apart in asuitable manner and by suitable means. A common objection to such astructure is the fact that a grip member is required which projectsoutwardly from the handle and forms somewhat of a projection.

It is an object of the' present invention to provide an electrode holderso constructed and arranged that this grip may project outwardly fromthe handle a minimum distance,

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holderso constructed and arranged that the tubular insulated handle may beextended well forwardly on the clamping jaws.

Another object of the invention is the prorocking of the grip, thespread of the jaws may be adjusted to any desired width within the rangeof the structure.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made inthe structure without departing from the spirit of the invention and itis intended that such variations shall be encompassed within the claimsforming a part hereof.

Forming a part of the specification are drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention with parts brokenaway and parts shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken online33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing a modified form of theinyention slightly enlarged.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of theinvention slightly enlarged.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of theinvention slightly enlarged.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal central sectional view of a modified form ofthe invention.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 7.

In the drawings 1 have indicated a shankforming portion comprising apair of semi-cylindrical parts 8 and 9 projecting "forwardly from whichare the jaw-forming plates I0 and H which are secured together at theirrear ends by the bolt i2 and the nut l3. These jaws are formed fromresilient material and are in engagement at their forward ends andprovided, on opposed faces, with registering grooves M to providewire-receiving passages. When the jaws are sprung apart and a wirepositioned therebetween, the jaws, through their resiliency, will serveto clamp the wire securely therebetween so that it may be used for theordinary purposes.

lhe shank-forming portions and c are formed concave on their opposedfaces to provide a socket or well in which one end of the conductor maybe positioned. This conductor generally consists of a cable having acovering of insulation it which serves to cover the electric wires ll.In the construction illustrated, the end of the cable is freed frominsulation to provide a bared portion and the wireof this portion isinserted in a cup or sleeve it which is soldered thereto or securedthereto in any suitable manher. This sleeve or cup 18 is of such size asto fairly snugly fit the well or cavity iii. A handle 20 formed fromsuitable insulating material such as fibre or the like is positionedover the shankforming portion in embracing relation and secured by meansof the screw 2|. This handle 20 is provided at its rear end with aninset collar 22 through which the cable 16. projects. The handle 20 isprovided with openings 23 and at each of these openings there isthreaded into the shank portion 9 a binding screw 24 which may bethreaded inwardly into binding relation with the covering or sleeve l8so as to secure the conductor in the well I5 and aflord the necessaryand desired electrical contact. -It will benoted that these screws 24are accessible through the open ings 23 so that the conductor may besecured to the holder and removed therefrom without necessitating aremoval of the handle 20. This also forms one of the objects of theinvention as conventional constructions require removal of the handle20. in order to attach or detach a conductor. By unscrewing the screws24 the conductor may be released for removal from the well I5 and aninward threading of screws 24 will effect the desired binding orclamping.

The upper jaw II is provided, intermediate its ends, with an elongatedslot 25. A rocker member 26 is inserted at the end through the slot 25.This rocker member is provided at the inserted end, with a cross headembodying the lateral projections or arms 21 and 28 which are circularin cross secticn. This cross head serves to'lie between the jaws l0 andH and straddle the slot 25. Formed on the inner face of the jaw II is aprojection 26 which has grooves in which the arms 21 and 28 engage so asto prevent longitudinal movement of the rocker 26 relative to the jaws.This rocker member also projects through the slot 30 formed in thehandle 20. Secured to the end of the rocker member 26 is a. grip orhandle 3| which serves as a means for rocking the rocker 26.

Threaded through the lower jaw I0 is a screw 32 which registers with theopening 33 formed in the handle 20 so that the screw 32 is accessiblethrough the opening 33. This screw is located in the jaw It) so as toregister with the rocker 26. The construction is such that as the rocker26 is rocked downwardly it will engage the screw 32. Upon furtherrocking the screw :32 willpress downwardly on the jaw l0 and the crosshead, embodylng'arms 21 and 28, will lift upwardly on the jaw ll, thuseffecting a spreading apart of the jaws at their free ends. By threadingthe screw 32 inwardly or outwardly the amount of spread may beregulated. 'Experience has shown that some operators desire a widespread on the free ends of the clamping jaws, whereas, others desireonly a slight spread sufficientfor the reception of the electrode wire.As shown in Fig. 3 the outwardly projecting ribs 34 serve to engage thehandle 20 and maintain an air space 35 within the handle so that undueheating of the handle is thus avoided.v

In Fig. 4 I have indicated a slight modification of the structure inwhich the screw 32 threaded through the jaw is dispensed with. Insteadof this structure, I thread a screw 32' gage in the opening 52.

through the rocker 26'. The operation and.

functions obtained by the form illustrated in Fig, 1 are obviouslyobtained by the structure illustrated in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 5 I have further illustrated a modification of the structure andthe adjustable feature for regulating the spread of the jaws, which ispresent in the illustrations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, is not present in thestructure shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5 the rocker 26" is constructed andfunctions as does the rocker 26 illustrated in Fig. l. The rocker 26" isprovided with a boss 36 which projects from the inner face thereof andwhich serves to engage the inner face of the jaw l0 corresponding to thejaw III shown in Fig. 1. The jaw ll corresponds to the jaw H shown inFig. and is otherwise similar. By rocking the rocker member 26"downwardly, the boss 36 serves as a means to deliver thrust to the jawl0 and the cross head serves to deliver it to the jaw N.

Fig. 6 is a structure similar to Fig. 5 with a reversal of parts. Inthis structure the rocker 26 is constructed as shown in Fig. 1. The jawI0" corresponds to the jaw IU of Fig. I and is provided, on its innersurface, with the inwardly projecting boss 36 which is in registrationwith the slot 25 corresponding to the slot 25 of Fig. 1. As the rockermember 26" is rocked downwardly after engagement with the boss 36', theboss 36' serve to deliver the thrust to the jaw l0" while the cross headon the rocker serves to deliver the thrust to the jaw ll" correspondingto the jaw H of Fig. l. I

In Fig. '7 a slightly different form of structure is set out.- A shank42 is formed from hexagonal material and provided with a socket 43 atits rear end. At its forward end the shank is provided with a pair ofspaced apart tongues 44 and 45 having a space 46' therebetween intowhich the butt ends of the jaws 41 and 48 may be positioned, a screw 49being projected through the tongue 45 and through the jaws 41 and 48 andthreaded into the tongue 44 so that the screw or bolt 49 serves as ameans for bringing the tongues 44 and 45 into clamping relation with theends of the jaws 41 and 48. Embracing this shank is the tubular handle20 having a slot 50 formed in its forward end, the purpose of which willappear.

Formed in the jaw 48 is a slot or opening 51 in alignment with andspaced from the opening 52 so that a rib portion 53 which is integralwith the body of the jaw 48 lies between the opening or slot 5| and theopening 52. The jaw 41 is provided with an opening 54.

In this form the rocker member is formed from a rod which embodies thestem 55 on which is positioned the tube 56 of fibre or the like toprovide an extension of the trigger handle. The stem 55 is angularlyturned to provide a rocker portion 62 which is projected at one endthrough the opening 5| andrwhich is provided, intermediate its ends,with a notch 51 of sufficient width to receive the rib 53." Theformation of the notch 51 provides a hook or nose 58 at the forward endof the rocker member which is adapted to en- Formed on the inner face ofthe jaw 41 is a fulcrum-forming engagement member or boss 59. When theparts are assembled as in Fig. 7 a downward rocking of the rocker memberwill effect a spreading apart of the jaws in the manner alreadydescribed. These jaws are shown provided with layers of insulation 60secured thereto by means of the screws 6|. The upwardly turned portion62 of the rocker member which meets with the stem-forming portion 55 isaccommodated by the slot 50. This construction is such that an easy andquick assembly of the structure may be provided while all of theadvantages referred to in the other forms are present.

Secured to the jaw 48 is one end of a bifurcated spring 63 the prongs 64of which engage a pin 65 which is projected through the rocker andextended outwardly from opposite sides thereof. This spring is undertension so as to prevent rattling and normally maintain the rockermember rocked downwardly into engagement with the boss 56. The pin isalso preferably longer than the width of the slot 50 so as to preventundue removal of the trigger or rocker member from position.

In the various forms shown the member referred to as a rocker or rockermember, such as the member 26 or the member 62, is a simple lever of thefirst class. In the forms shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 the screw 32 and32' respectively form the fulcrum. In the form shown in Fig.5 and Fig. 6the bosses 36 and 36' respec- 2,283,102 tively form the fulcrum. In theform shown in In the form shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5,.

having the lateral arm 21 and 28. In Fig. 7 the work applying portion isthat portion of the lever which engages the part 53 of the upper jaw. Ineach instance it will be noted that the lever is free for movementupwardly and this upward movement is not resisted in the forms shown inFig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. and Fig. 6. The upward swinging of the lever isresisted in the form shown in Fig. '1 by the fork spring having the armsor fork 64. But, even in this form, the upward swinging is such that adisassembly of the construction may be had. The function of the springis to prevent rattling and not to prevent a disassembly of thestructure.

If it were desired to disassemble the structure shown in Fig. 1 with thehandle provided with a slot which does not extend to the end of thehandle as shown in Fig. 1, it would be necessary to back the screw 32until the member 26 would fall downwardly and lie in engagement with thejaw it, whereupon the tubular handle 20 might then be slid off theshank. The member 26 might then be rocked upwardly and turned 90 degreesso as to bring the arms 21 and 28 into alignment with the slot 29,whereupon the member 26 might be lifted out. In the form shown in Fig.7, in order to disassemble the structure it would be necessary to rockthe lever upwardly the portion 58 moving downwardly into the opening 5%sufficient to allow the lever to he slid outwardly. In some instances itmight be necessary to first remove the spring 63. In both types ofconstruction it will be noted that the lever is not connected to eitherof the jaws and the lever is not permanently fastened to its fulcrum. In

the two forms illustrated it will also be noted that there is a meansfor preventing movement of the lever longitudinally of the jaws untilthe lever has been moved out of operating position.

It is preferred that the jaws l0 and il be each made from resilientmaterial but it is obvious from the description given, that both of thejaws need not be resilient so long as the springing effect desired ispresent.

In this manner I haveprovided an electrode holder which is possessed ofgreater efficiency and which serves to produce the advantages enumeratedwhile avoiding the disadvantages referred to.

What I claim as new is:

1. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair of resilientclamping jaws in superimposed relation and secured together adjacenttheir rear ends and springable apart at their forward, ends for thereception of. an electrode wire to be clamped therebetwee'n, one of saidjaws having an opening formed therein intermediate its ends; a leverprojected at one end through said opening; a force applying portion onsaid end of said lever extended beyond the area of said opening andengageable with said opening-bearing jaw for applying force thereto; athreaded fulcrum-formfulcrum therefor and delivering a thrust to theother of said jaws.

2. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair. of resilientclamping jaws in superimposed relation secured together adjacent theirrear ends and springable apart at their forward ends for the receptionof an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, one of said jaws havingan opening formed therein intermediate its ends; a lever projected atits forward end through said opening; a force-applying portion on saidend of said lever, extended beyond the area of said opening andengageable with said opening-bearing jaw for applying force thereto; andthreaded means projected between said lever and the other of said jawsfor providing a fulcrum for said lever rearwardly of the force-applyingportion and bearing against said other jaw' upon the rocking of saidlever in one direction.

3. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair of resilientclampin'g jaws secured together adjacent one of their ends insuperimposed relation and spreadable apart at their opposite ends forthe reception of an electrode wire to. be

clamped therebetween, one of said jaws having an opening formed thereinintermediate its ends; a lever projected at its forward end through saidopening; a force-applying portion on said end of said lever extendedbeyond the area of said opening and loosely engageable with saidopeningbearing jaw for applying force thereto; a fulcrum-forming memberpositioned between said lever and the other of said jaws and engageablewith said lever, rearwardly of said force-applying portion for providinga fulcrum for said lever and delivering a thrust to the other of saidjaws, said lever being disconnected from each of said jaws; and meansfor preventing longitudinal movement of said lever while applying force.

4. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion; a pair of jaws projecting in superimposed relation forwardly ofsaid shank-forming portion and springable apart at their forward endsfor the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, oneof said jaws having an opening formed therein; a crosshead lying betweensaid jaws and extending be- I yond opposite sides of said opening; alever con ing member threaded through the other of said jaws andengageable with said lever rearwardly of nected at its forward end tosaid cross-head and projected rearwardly therefrom through said opening;fulcrum-forming means projecting between the inner face of said leverand the inner face of the other of said jaws for engaging with andproviding a fulcrum for said lever, rearwardly of said cross-head andfor delivering a thrust to said other jaw in one direction upon rockingof said lever in one direction, said cross head applying thrust to saidopening-bearing jaw in the opposite direction.

5. In an electrode holder of the class described, I

a shank-forming portion; a pair of jaws projecting in superimposedrelation forwardly of said shank-forming portion and springable apart attheir forward ends for the reception of an electrode wire to be clampedtherebetwcen, one of said jaws having an opening formed therein; acrosshead lying between said jaws and extending beyond opposite sides ofsaid opening; a lever connected at its forward end to said cross-headand projected rearwardly therefrom through said opening; fulcrum-formingmeans projecting between the inner face of said lever and the inner faceof the other of said jaws for engaging with and providing a fulcrum forsaid lever, rearwardly o said cross-head and for delivering a thrust tosaid other jaw in one direction upon rocking of said lever in onedirection, said cross head applying thrust to said opening-bearing jawin the opposite direction; and means on said openingbearing jawcooperating with said cross head for resisting longitudinal movement ofsaid lever relatively to said jaws.

6. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion; a pair of jaws projecting in superimposed relation forwardly ofsaid shank-forming portion and spreadable apart at their forward endsfor the reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, oneof said jaws having an opening formed therein; a lever projected at oneend through said opening; a hook carried by said end of said lever andengageable with said opening-bearing jaw for preventing movement of saidlever longitudinally thereof; a fulcrum-forming means positioned betweenthe other of said jaws and said lever for forming a fulcrum for saidlever and delivering an outward thrust to said other jaw, said leverbeing disconnected from both of said jaws.

7. In an electrode holder of the class described,

a pair of resilient jaws securedtogether adjacent one of their ends insuperimposed relation and spreadable apart adjacent their free ends forthe reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetwen, one ofsaid jaws having a slot formed therein; a cross-head lying between saidjaws and straddling said slot and loosely engaging said jaws; a leversecured at its forward end to said cross-head and projecting therefromrearwardly thereof through said slot; and a boss on the inner face ofthe other of said jaws engageable with said lever, rearwardly of saidcrosshead, upon rocking of said lever a predetermined distance in onedirection for providing a fulcrum thereforand delivering a thrust in onedirection to the other of said jaws, said crosshead delivering a thrustto the opening-bearing jaw in the opposite direction.

8. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair of grippingjaws in superimposed relation, secured together at one of their ends andspringable apart adjacent their opposite ends for reception of anelectrode to be clamped therebetween and normally urged to closedposition at their free ends, one of 'said jaws having a pair oflongitudinally spaced openings formed therein intermediate its ends; alever projected through the rear opening and having a hookformingportion engaging in the forward opening; a fulcrum-forming memberpositioned between said lever and the'other of said jaws for forming afulcrum for said lever and applying thrust to said other jaw uponrocking of said lever in one direction, said lever applying force tosaid opening-bearing jaw at the portion thereof between said openings.

9. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion; a pair of resilient jaws projecting in superimposed relationforwardly of said shank-forming portion and springable apart at theirforward ends for the reception of an electrode wire to be clampedtherebetween, one of said jaws having an opening formed therein; a leverprojecting at one end through said opening; a cross-head carried by saidlever and lying between said jaws and extending transversely of saidjaws and projecting beyond opposite sides of said opening;fulcrum-forming means projected between the inner face of said lever andthe inner face of the other of said jaws, rearwardly of said cross-head,for limiting rocking movement of said lever in one direction andcooperating with said lever and said other jaw for, upon rocking of saidlever in said direction beyond a predetermined distance, spreading saidjaws apart.

10. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair of jaws insuperimposed relation normally in engagement with each other andspringable apart at their forward ends for reception of an electrodewire to be clamped therebetween, one of said jaws having an openingformed therein; a lever projecting at one end through said opening; across-head carried by one end of said lever and lying between said jawsand straddling said opening; a threaded member carried by said leverrearwardly of and spaced from said cross-head and projectable beyond theinner face of said lever and adapted, upon rocking of said lever in onedirection, for engaging the inner face of the other of said jaws andforcing said jaws apart.

11. In an electrode holder of the class de scribed, a pair of jawssecured together at their rear ends and in superimposed relation andspreadable apart, against the resiliency thereof, adjacent their forwardends for reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, oneof said jaws having an opening formed therein; a lever projecting at oneend through said opening; bearing means carried by said projecting endof said lever and lying between said jaws and extending beyond the areaof said opening and bearing against said opening-bearing jaw; and afulcrum-forming member between the other of said jaws and said lever,spaced rearwardly of said bearing means for forming a fulcrum for saidlever, upon rocking of the same in one direction, the rocking of saidlever in said direction beyond a predetermined distance effecting aspreading apart of said jaws, said lever being disconnected from both ofsaid jaws.

12. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair of. clampingjaws secured to-.

gether at one of their ends and extending in urged, by the resiliencythereof, into close engagement and spreadable apart at their free endsfor reception of an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, one ofsaid jaws having an opening formed therein intermediate its ends; alever projected at its forward end through said opening; aforce-applying portion on said end of said lever extended beyond saidopening for appling force to the under surface of said opening-bearingjaw; and a fulcrum-forming means spaced rearwardly of saidforce-applying portion and positioned between said lever and the otherof said jaws and loosely engaging said lever for delivering a spreadingthrust to said other jaw, upon rocking of said lever in one directionsaid lever being disconnected from both of said jaws.

13. In an electrode holder of the class described, a pair of clampingjaws secured together at one of their ends and extending in superimposedregistering relation and normally urged, by the resiliency thereof, intoclose engagement and spreadable apart at their free ends for receptionof an electrode wire to be clamped therebetween, one .of said jawshaving an opening formed therein intermediate its ends; a leverprojected at its forward end through said opening; a force-applyingportion on said end of said lever extended beyond said opening foraping-bearing jaw;

plying force to the inner surface of said openresisting rocking of saidlever in the oppositedirection.

14. In an electrode holder of the class -described, a shank-formingportion for attachment to an electric conductor; a pair of jawsprojecting in superimposed relation forwardly of said shank-formingportion and normally spring pressed into engagement at opposed faces andspreadable apart at their forward ends for the reception of an electrodewire to be clamped therebetween, one of said jaws having an openingformed therein; a lever projected at its forward end through saidopening and engaging between opposed faces of said jaws and extending atits rear end rearwardly from said opening; laterally projecting means onthe forward end of said lever, said lever being freely rockable on saidlaterally projected means as an axis without disturbing the relation ofsaid jaws; and an engagement portion on said lever rearwardly of saidlaterally projecting means for, upon rocking of said lever in onedirection a predetermined distance, delivering a thrust outwardly to theinner face of said other jaw, said laterally projecting means, uponreclaim of said lever beyond 'said predetermined distance, delivering anoutward thrust to the inner face of said openingbearing jaw.

15. in an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; a pair of jawsprojecting in superimposed relation forwardly of said shank-formingportion and spreadable apart in the opposite direction.

at their forward ends for reception of an electrode wire to be clampedtherebetween, one of said jaws having an opening formed therein; a levernonattached to either of said jaws and projected at its forward endthrough said opening and extending rearwardly therefrom; a bearingportion on said lever adjacent its forward end for delivering an outwardthrust to the inner face of said opening-bearing jaw, upon rocking ofsaid lever in one direction; and a bearing portion on said leverrearwardly of said first mentioned bearing portion for bearing againstthe inner face of the other of said jaws andldelivering an outwardthrust thereto.

16. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; a pair of jawsprojecting in superimposed relation forwardly of said shank-formingportion and spreadable apart at their forward ends for reception of anelectrode wire to be clamped therebetween, one of said jaws having anopening formed therein; a lever non-' attached to either of said jawsand projected at its forward end through said opening and extendingrearwardly therefrom; a bearing portion on said lever adjacent itsforward end for delivering an outward thrust to the inner face of saidopening-bearing jaw, upon rocking of said lever 17. In an electrodeholder of the class described, a shank-forming portion adapted forattachment to an electric conductor; a pair of jaws projecting insuperimposed relation forwardly of said shank-forming portion andspreadable apart at their forward ends for reception of an electrodewire to be clamped therebetween, one of said jaws having an openingformed therein; a lever non-attached to either of said jaws andprojected at its forward end through said opening and extendingrearwardly therefrom; a bearing portion on said lever adjacent itsforward end for delivering an outward thrust to the inner face of saidopening-bearing jaw, upon rocking of said lever in one direction; abearing portion on said lever rearwardly of said first mentioned bearingportion for bearing against the inner face of the other of said jaws anddelivering an outward thrust thereto, said lever being freely rockablein the opposite direction, the rocking of said lever beyond apredetermined distance in the opposite direction efiecting adisengagement of the same from said opening.

18.'In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; a pair of jawsprojecting in superimposed registering relation forwardly of saidshank-forming portion and connected thereto and spreadable apart attheir forward ends for reception of an electrode wire to .be clampedtherebetween, one of said jaws having an opening formed therein; aspreading mechanism engaged between said jaws for spreading the sameapart and embodying an elongated member projecting outwardly throughsaid opening and rearwardly therefrom and adapted upon downward rockingfor spreading said jaws apart; and a handle embracing said shank-formingportion and projecting forwardly therefrom suflzlcient for overlying andcovering said opening in said jaw.

19. In an electrode holder of the class described, a shank-formingportion adapted for attachment to an electric conductor; a pair of jawsprojecting in superimposed registering relation forwardly of saidshank-forming portion and connected thereto and spreadable apart attheir PHILIP BOURQUE.

